As America’s cities grapple with post-pandemic challenges like rising crime, economic uncertainty, and strained public services, urban leaders are rethinking how to govern, collaborate, and rebuild. Governing’s Winter Issue explores these dynamics, highlighting how mayors, philanthropies, and city planners are reshaping the urban landscape through redevelopment projects, innovative partnerships, and efforts to reclaim public spaces —while confronting persistent policy hurdles like AI regulation and social media’s societal impact.

Governing* Editor Alan Greenblatt and Senior Writer Jared Brey join the podcast to discuss their reporting on the future of American cities.

Show Notes

Here are the top-five takeaways from this episode:

1. Urban Governance Under Scrutiny

   Major U.S. cities, predominantly led by Democratic mayors, face governance challenges heightened by pandemic-driven issues like remote work, crime, and homelessness. Alan Greenblatt highlights how these crises have tested mayors’ abilities and strained city resources, fueling public dissatisfaction and political consequences.

2. Reclaiming the Built Environment

   Jared Brey’s reporting on New Haven, Conn., illustrates efforts to reverse the damage caused by mid-20th century urban renewal projects. Mayor Justin Elicker’s administration focuses on making highways and surrounding areas safer and more accessible, aiming to reshape urban spaces for residents' well-being and community engagement.

3. Foundations as City Builders

   Greenblatt’s piece on Pittsburgh reveals how philanthropic foundations are transforming from passive donors into active investors. By funding large-scale urban redevelopment projects like tech-driven manufacturing hubs, foundations play roles once reserved for municipal governments, reshaping economic futures.

4. Mayors as Conveners and Collaborators

   While mayors have limited direct authority in complex urban ecosystems, they serve as critical connectors. By rallying business, university, and philanthropic leaders, mayors can drive urban development, leveraging their positions to coordinate diverse stakeholders for city-wide improvements.

5. Emerging Policy Challenges

   Looking ahead, Governing’s “Issues to Watch” package explores pressing topics, including city budget constraints, crime, and new tech governance challenges like regulating AI and social media use. These evolving issues underscore the complexity of urban policymaking in the coming year.

The magazine features mentioned in this episode will post on governing.com on January 3, 2025.

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*Governing and Government Technology are divisions of e.Republic LLC.

In 2024, state and local governments navigated a rapidly evolving technology landscape that placed artificial intelligence, cybersecurity resilience, digital equity, accessibility and user experience at the top of their agendas. These pressing issues fueled a surge in AI-focused legislation, prompted tighter security measures following high-profile disruptions, advanced broadband initiatives and inclusive design mandates, and inspired ever more user-centric digital services.

Government Technology staff writers Julia Edinger and Ashley Silver and Governing Senior Staff Writer Jule Pattison-Gordon join the podcast to talk through the magazine’s year-in-review issue.

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. AI’s Growing Role and Regulation: State and local governments moved quickly to embrace artificial intelligence in 2024, going beyond pilot projects into everyday operations. Lawmakers introduced hundreds of AI-related bills, and agencies formed task forces, appointed executive-level AI leaders and joined coalitions to develop policies and governance. Yet, most jurisdictions still lack fully mature frameworks, leaving them to catch up as employees and constituents turn to AI tools.

2. Cybersecurity Threats and Responses: Cyber incidents underscored the critical need for stronger security measures. From faulty software updates at cybersecurity vendors to attacks on infrastructure players like health-care clearinghouses, governments grappled with complex challenges. The state and local cybersecurity grant program spurred greater adoption of .gov domains and fostered closer ties among jurisdictions, though concerns remain about long-term funding and political will.

3. Digital Equity and Broadband Expansion: With robust federal funding, states crafted digital equity plans, securing grants and advancing broadband projects to close connectivity gaps. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program fueled progress, and states focused on making websites, services and tools more accessible, aiming for inclusivity to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and serve diverse populations.

4. Accessibility and Inclusion: Government leaders turned their attention to ensuring digital content meets accessibility guidelines. States appointed chief accessibility officers, implemented training and adopted assistive technologies. The moves aim to serve people with disabilities more effectively while also providing intuitive interfaces that benefit all users.

5. Evolving Government Experience: Agencies increasingly put user experience at the forefront. AI chatbots, streamlined permitting systems and mobile-friendly platforms saved constituents time and reshaped public interaction with government. While high-tech solutions often prevailed, officials balanced convenience with oversight, data governance and a renewed focus on inclusivity and trust in digital services.

Related Link to stories referenced in the episode:

Year in Review 2024: AI Impacts All Areas of Gov Tech

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.

In this episode of The Future in Context, host Ashley Silver speaks with Cody Tyler, managing director at EXOS CYBER, about the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state and local governments. The discussion explores why government agencies are frequent targets for cyber criminals, the dual role of artificial intelligence in security, and the importance of workforce training to combat these evolving threats.

Here are the top five takeaways from this episode:

1. Government agencies are prime targets for cyber criminals.

Government agencies, Tyler explains, face increased cyber threats because of their critical role in maintaining essential services such as power and water, their access to sensitive data, and their reliance on outdated systems. These factors make them susceptible to ransomware, phishing and data theft, with artificial intelligence enabling more sophisticated attacks.

2. Multifactor authentication and user awareness training are essential.

The conversation emphasizes that multifactor authentication can prevent most phishing attacks when paired with regular employee awareness training, including simulated phishing exercises.

3. Collaboration with cybersecurity firms is vital.

Tyler reveals how partnerships between government agencies and cybersecurity firms strengthen defenses against evolving threats. These collaborations provide specialized expertise to assess vulnerabilities, implement safeguards such as multifactor authentication, and develop recovery plans to minimize damage.

4. Emerging technologies like AI offer opportunities and risks.

While advanced AI can enhance cybersecurity by analyzing data and detecting threats, it also introduces new challenges, such as fully automated attacks and sophisticated phishing schemes. Tyler stresss the need for proactive and adaptive strategies to address these vulnerabilities.

5. Workforce training is key to overcoming cybersecurity challenges.

Tyler underscores the importance of regular training and “defense in depth” strategies to address workforce gaps in cybersecurity. Initiatives such as workshops and phishing simulations, and layered security measures help employees adapt to emerging threats, particularly staff less familiar with modern technology.

Listen to this episode on the player below or subscribe for free on YouTube or the podcast app of your choice — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audacy and Audible.

Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.